Warning on eating fish from the Shoalhaven River

According to the EPA, fish from the Shoalhaven River can still be consumed, but intake should be limited.

A TOXIC chemical linked with the use of firefighting foam has been found in a major New South Wales waterway, the Shoalhaven River, prompting the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to urge caution about the consumption of local fish.

According to an article on the ABC website, testing by the EPA has found elevated polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in five species of fish in the Shoalhaven River on the state's south coast.

The EPA has urged people consuming high amounts of luderick, sea mullet, sand whiting, dusky flathead and silverbiddy caught in the river to limit their personal intake.

Its dietary advice details the number of serves of a single species that can be eaten each week.

The discovery of similar chemicals north of Newcastle prompted fishing bans in 2015, but the EPA said commercial fishing remained open for the Shoalhaven.

EPA spokesman David Gathercole said a precautionary approach was needed.

"We're saying that people can still fish and eat their catch, but they are advised to manage the amount they eat," Mr Gathercole said.

Similarly, south coast angler Steve Johnson said he was confident fish caught from the river remained safe to eat.

"We're talking recommendations around a portion being 150 grams of a species, and the reality is most people wouldn't be consuming that much fish from this waterway on a weekly basis," Mr Johnson said.